Showa American Story, developed by Nekcom Entertainment and published by 4Divinity, is an upcoming action RPG set to launch this year for PlayStation 5 and PC. Director Xiangyu Luo's inspiration stems from 1980s rumors of Japan's overwhelming economic prowess, imagining a world where this led to Japan purchasing America.
In this alternate reality, Hollywood is reimagined as Neo Yokohama. Japanese immigrants have formed distinct gangs, including one styled after the iconic 1979 film 'The Warriors.' Players step into the shoes of protagonist Chigusa Choko, resurrected from death to confront these gangs and other enemies in her quest to find her sister.
The game blends a unique premise with a Quentin Tarantino-inspired tone, characterized as raunchy, bloody, absurd, and hilarious. While the combat mechanics, particularly swordplay, are described as clunky and in need of greater fluidity, the game compensates with a wealth of personality in its weapon designs and animations. This distinctive style also permeates the game's characters and its storytelling, which is compared to RGG-style narratives.
A hands-on preview at Gamescom offered a glimpse into the game's world and mechanics. One demo scenario involved Choko, accompanied by characters Bubba and Michael Hero, navigating the streets of Neo Yokohama. The group encounters a gang known as the Warriors, depicted in attire reminiscent of the film 'The Warriors,' as they threaten a civilian. This leads to Choko's first combat sequence.
Combat primarily involves a katana, utilizing light and heavy attacks to deplete enemy health and build a stagger meter. Despite the sluggish feel and noticeable input lag, the combat is underscored by humorous and brutal animations. Executions involve slicing limbs, necks, and puncturing enemies through quick-time event button mashes. The preview also highlighted the use of a limited-ammo machine gun and a shotgun, the latter being particularly effective for execution-style finishers.
Following combat, dialogue options present dark humor, such as inquiring about the well-being of a tree used in an assault or the victim's injuries. The game leans into this absurdity for comedic effect.
As players progress, new weapons become available. The American Flag, a large and slow-swinging weapon, is effective against groups of enemies and features an overly patriotic and humorous execution move. Another discovered weapon is a drill, similar to BioShock's Big Daddy drill, capable of piercing multiple enemies simultaneously.
The demo culminates in a boss fight against two large, buff antagonists who are literally spit-roasting a man. Their boss battle is accompanied by the William Tell Overture, further emphasizing the game's satirical patriotism. However, the preview noted that the clunky combat system, particularly the complex button combinations for weapon-switching combos, detracted from the intended over-the-top encounter. The reviewer also experienced issues with the game's Rage and stamina systems, though acknowledged these might feel more natural in the full release with more time to learn the mechanics.
Despite the combat criticisms, Showa American Story's absurdist world, off-the-wall characters, and unique setting left a positive impression, primarily through its ability to evoke laughter. The game's distinctive blend of America as seen through a Japanese lens, influenced by 1980s Chinese rumors, promises an engaging and humorous experience upon its release later this year.